STREET PROJECTS MAKING FOR A SMOOTH RIDE Two years of street projects in Berkeley improve traffic flow

Berkeley, California (Wednesday, November 05, 2008) - Most Berkeley drivers and cyclists have noticed the new smooth ride on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, but street resurfacing projects are making travel easier in all corners of Berkeley.

“The planning and execution of the MLK project went quickly, and we were able to take advantage of one-time Proposition 1B money from the state,” said Public Works Director Claudette Ford.

“The project also included pedestrian improvements like fixing sidewalks and curb ramps. Not only can bikes and cars travel easier, so can pedestrians,” she said.

Projects started in 2007 and completed in 2008 have improved road and traffic conditions across the city. About 11.5 miles of streets were paved at a cost of about $8 million, with funds coming from the City’s general fund, Measure B Sales Tax, and state and federal grants. The City of Berkeley completed:o MLK, which was paved from roughly Hopkins to Adelineo Sacramento between Rose and Virginiao Gilman between I-80 and Hopkinso Julia between Sacramento and Kingo All of El Camino Real

While the street surfaces are being improved, other nearby projects can also be completed. For example, drainage improvements were made in the neighborhood of Parker and 9th Street, including Parker and 10th, Acton and 67th, Gilman and Stannage, Gilman and Talbot, Gilman and Peralta, Dana and Ward, Dana and Blake, Shattuck and Oregon, and Shattuck and Russell.

“We also depend on state and federal funding for road projects,” said Ford. “We’re moving ahead on planning so that as that as we secure those funds, we can get right to work on the streets.”